See also: 9 July 2004, 26 March 2004, 5 March 2004, 20 February 2004, 13 February 2004, 6 February 2004

(Date of previous outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the People´s Republic of China reported to the OIE: June 2004 [in poultry]).

Immediate notification report

Information received on 21 May 2005 from Mr Jia Youling, Director General, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing:

Report date: 21 May 2005.

Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.

Date of initial detection of animal health incident: 4 May 2005.

Estimated date of primary infection: 15 April 2005.

Outbreaks:

Description of affected population: migratory birds, including bar-headed geese (Anser indicus), great black-headed gulls (Larus ichthyaetus), brown-headed gulls (Larus brunnicephalus), ruddy shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea) and great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo).

Total number of animals in the outbreak:

Diagnosis:

A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory (Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricutural Sciences).

B. Diagnostic tests used: RT-PCR⁽¹⁾ and intravenous pathogenicity index test (18 May 2005).

C. Causal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus type H5N1.

Epidemiology:

A. Source of agent / origin of infection: under investigation.

B. Mode of spread: migratory birds.

C. Other epidemiological details: the site is an important rendezvous of migratory birds on one of their Asia-Europe routes.

Control measures:

- quarantine;

- movement control inside the country;

- zoning;

- vaccination.

(1) RT-PCR: reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction